The Cut Price Version

The week from Dallas Willard's ( 1935-) The Spirit of Disciplne

Dallas Willard  spent a good deal of time explaining that there is quite a difference between being a disciple and a Christian. The Christian is basically have mental assent to a set of principles and being able to fit into "Church culture". Sometimes this has little or no bearing on truly following the life and teaching of Jesus. In the Greek "disciple" had an implication of being a learner, following the  teaching and lifestyle of the leader.

In the western Church when have a salvation experience, we are educated into our church culture, whatever that may look like.  Therefore we fit in with the other members of our particular church flavour. I guess  the question then becomes, if Jesus came to our church would he want to be there? Because if he doesn't, can we call ourselves his disciples or are we simply followers of our church leader? Much as it was in Jesus day, when the Hebrews followed different rabbis for different reasons.

I have feeling that be a true disciple is not a decision that can be taken lightly. Dallas Willard says it like this:
".... there is a decision to be made: The decision to devote oneself like becoming like Christ. The disciple is one who, intent on becoming Christlike and so dwelling in "his faith and practice," systematically and progressively  rearranges his affairs to that end."

This a costly process and completely countercultural in the 21st century. That being said I am not sure that this will be unappealing to the under thirties and the dissatisfied. So it would appear some are rejecting church culture to some extent. Discipleship is the hope of the 21st Church and is not beyond reach, it your and my individual choice to start the journey from wherever we are. If we look around we will find like minded people to journey with.

As they say to Neo in the Matrix: 'If you take the blue pill your life will never the same again"

But we have a lifetime:

Philippians 1:6

 Being confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus